Kali Mata temple in Assam vandalised by a Muslim man
Hojai, Assam, India 
30 March, 2025
Case Summary
In Hojai district, Assam, a Muslim man named Nazbul Alam vandalised a Kali Mata idol at a crematorium. This act angered the local Hindu community, who felt deeply insulted. Hindu organisations, including the Bajrang Dal, condemned the act and demanded strict action against Alam. The protests called for the authorities to take firm steps to address the desecration of a sacred symbol. Reports suggest that Nazbul Alam had long pretended to respect all religions and maintained friendly relations with Hindus, making his act of desecration all the more shocking. His actions have not only insulted Hindu religious beliefs but also raised concerns about deliberate attempts to hurt their faith. The police quickly arrested Alam and assured the community that the investigation would be transparent and impartial, offering some relief.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the primary category of- Attack on Hindu religious representations. Under this, the first sub-category selected is- Attack on Temples. In Hinduism, a temple is the abode of the Deity. The Deity in the Temple is consecrated, thereby, making it a real, breathing entity. Hindus believe that not just the Deity but the temple premises itself are sacred to Hindus since Hindus hold the faith that the entire Temple space is an amalgamation of the divine energy of the deity. Given the central significance of Temples in Hindu Dharma, any attack against a Hindu Temple or its peripheral premises is an attack on the faith itself and is born out of animosity towards the faith, of which, the Temple is a central tenet. Any manner of attack against a Temple and/or its premises would therefore be considered a religiously motivated hate crime. The second sub-category selected is- Desecration of Hindu religious symbol. Icons and symbols or a religious representation of a spiritual ideal are widely revered in Hinduism. Iconography is of vital significance in the Hindu milieu. It helps connect people’s spiritual beliefs with the real world. Iconography within the Hindu faith takes several shapes and forms. Murtis are of most significance to Hindus, to which daily rituals, prayers and offerings are done. Besides the murtis, there are several other symbols which have deep significance in the Hindu faith – the Om and Swastika for example. Since these Hindu religious symbols hold paramount importance in Hinduism, any desecration of symbols, icons, murtis, religious representations and manifestations, is driven by animosity towards the faith itself which manifests itself through these murtis, icons and symbols. Therefore, any desecration of these Hindu religious symbols and representations is considered religiously motivated hate crimes under this category. This incident qualifies as a hate crime because it involves the desecration of a Hindu religious symbol—specifically the Kali Mata idol. Such icons and symbols hold immense spiritual significance in Hinduism, and their defacement is a direct attack on the Hindu faith. The deliberate destruction of religious representations stems from animosity towards the religion itself, which is a hallmark of religiously motivated hate crimes. This act not only insults the faith but also targets the very core of Hindu identity and practice, warranting its inclusion in the Hinduphobia tracker.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male
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